Scientology

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses Scientology, with particular emphasis on examining whether Scientology can be considered a religion or should be considered a cult. The paper describes the background of the founding of Scientology by science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard in 1954. It then goes on to describe some of the tenants of Scientology and its primary mission statement, as well as its dealings with various government and judicial bodies.

From the Paper:

"The ongoing controversies involving the Church and its critics include all the emphasis placed on a man rather than a deity. This makes Scientology look more like a cult than a religion. In addition, there have been deaths among Scientologists and it is reported these deaths took place during especially intense auditing sessions. Because of the close-mouthed nature of the Church, no one has ever really been sure. Scientologists are supposed to try to stay with other scientologists, and the Church often engages in very high pressure techniques in an attempt to get more and more money. In addition to all these shady things, there is also some very real speculation and evidently evidence in writings that LRH actually started the religion because he felt it would be a good way to bolster his flagging science fiction career and so he used his imagination in a way that he knew would make money. Scientology seems like a way for people who want money to take advantage of people who are looking desperately for something to fill up some of the spiritual emptiness in their lives, and do not know that they do not need to pay to do so. For this reason, I strongly believe Scientology is not a religion but is rather a cult."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Atack, Jon (1990). A Piece of Blue Sky. Lyle Stuart. ISBN 081840499X. A critical history of Scientology, by a Scientology archivist and former Scientologist
• Frenschkowski, Marco (1999). "L. Ron Hubbard and Scientology: An annotated bibliographical survey of primary and selected secondary literature".
• Miller, Russell (1987). Bare-faced Messiah, The True Story of L. Ron Hubbard. Henry Holt & Co. ISBN 0-8050-0654-0.
• Church of Scientology Introduction to Scientology (website accessed 4/12/06)
• Hoffman, Claire and Christensen, Kim (Dec. 18, 2005). "Tom Cruise and Scientology". Los Angeles Times

More papers on Scientology:

• Comparison Essay # 125321 : "Scientology and Christianity"
• Analytical Essay # 138639 : "The American Church of Scientology"
• Descriptive Essay # 118154 : "Scientology"

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